Ah, the push present.
It is the subject of intense debate between those who's partners have gifted them a token symbol to mark the birth of their child and those who have not.
Mama blogger and mother of two, Louise Hutchinson, has written a list of rules for new dads to help 'stop your wife from wanting to divorce you' once you become a dad– and it includes a birthing gift.
The Londoner who writes on her blog Mamas Don't Preach, says partners should offer a beautifully written card (at the very least) but points out a piece of jewellery or a designer handbag will earn dads 'massive brownie points'.
Other tips include learning to bite your tongue when faced with a partner that is sleep deprived and 'slightly irrational' and never, ever to mention that you are tired no matter what.
Baby-free time is also high on Louise's New Daddy list of Rules.
Some readers have been quick to criticise the list saying that offering a 'push present' cheapens the miracle of childbirth, while others say the baby itself should be gift enough.
My husband gave me a piece of jewellery to mark the birth of my children. He had it hidden in their tiny newborn hands when he brought them into me after changing them. I was so touched - not by the value of the gift but by the thought that went into it. It was less of a 'well done' and more of a symbol to commemorate an amazing moment that we both shared (which does center around the woman for the most part)
But Stacy Gill, who has a popular mummy blog called OneFunnyMotha, disagrees:
"The implication of the need to compensate a woman for bearing a child is that she’s just some hired hand, no more than a birthing vessel, contracted to produce a child for a man rather than an equal party to the whole endeavor. That she’s being paid off for a service provided. That the two entered into this union jointly of their own agency out of a love so great it drove them to long for a child of their own gets a little lost.
I’m not saying women don’t deserve appreciation and respect or to be downright worshiped for their singular role in creating, carrying and bringing forth new life because lord knows that’s no small burden, but demanding material goods in exchange for a child seems somehow, I don’t know, grotesque."
What do you think? Is it a materialistic obsession, a greedy culture, a beautiful appreciation or just plain silly? We would love to hear your comments.
